Dallas Cowboys Blog

One of the worst things to happen to the Cowboys in recent times is the Giants’ unexpected march to a championship last season.

But it’s not just because the Giants pushed the Cowboys aside to claim the playoff berth that launched their Super Bowl run. While that was bad, New York’s sudden rise from mediocrity to the top of the NFL did the Cowboys an even greater disservice by providing Cowboys owner Jerry Jones a parable he could use in his ongoing effort to peddle false hope.

Since February, Jones has said these Cowboys could duplicate what the Giants did — go 9-7 in the regular season and then take out four quality opponents in the playoffs to collect the Vince Lombardi Trophy. But here’s the thing: The Giants are the only team ever to finish with that record and win a title. They also had a quarterback, a coach and a core group of defensive players who won a Super Bowl four years earlier.

But because the Giants of 2011 defied the odds, Jones insists the Cowboys can, too. On Tuesday, he declared on KRLD-FM (105.3) the Cowboys are a contender despite the fact they are 2-3, nestled at the bottom of the NFC East standings and have managed one playoff victory in the previous 15 seasons.

It’s a ridiculous assertion. Perhaps more disturbing than the comment is that Jones holds that particular Giants team in such high esteem and uses it as a model example. The Cowboys should have greater aspirations than finishing 9-7, sneaking into the playoffs and making a miraculous title run.

But it’s hard not to come to the conclusion Jones would be content wishing that far-fetched scenario unfolds. Then again, it’s easy to see why a man who peddles false hope would be.